Book of the Day: Clever Jack Takes the Cake

Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this story. With so many fractured fairy tales and retellings out there it is refreshing and wonderful to read an original princess tale. The message of the importance of stories, friends and laughter comes through strong. As does the age old saying “It is the thought that counts.”

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A professional review from School Library Journal
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/885884-312/clever_jack_takes_the_cake.html.csp

K-Gr 3-A poor boy named Jack who helps a princess is a familiar trope in folklore. In this original tale, Jack accidentally receives an invitation to the princess's birthday party. He resourcefully gathers ingredients and bakes a wonderful cake. On his way to the castle, the cake is slowly demolished by crows, a troll, a spooky forest, a dancing bear, and even a palace guard, until the only present Jack has to offer the princess is the story of the cake's demise. Of course, this gift pleases her much more than the boring rubies and tiaras brought by richer guests, and she declares that her new friend will have the honor of cutting the royal cake. This entertaining adventure is packed with action. Karas's scratchy gouache and pencil cartoon illustrations are as detail-rich as the text itself. From the sly bear to the bored princess, the expressions are priceless. The endpapers provide context not included in the text: a party invitation blowing from the messenger's bag and under Jack's door at the beginning, and Jack regaling a fascinated princess with more tales at the end. A solid choice for most collections, and a good storytime choice, despite the smallish illustrations.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

The Circus Ship

The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of my absolute favorite from this year’s 2x2 List. I read it to every Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade class and never grew tired of it. The students loved the bouncy rhyming text and the pictures are the best part.


Chris Van Drussen took the true story of a ship that sunk in 1836, and wove this rhythmic tale of circus animals that survived the wreck and came ashore in this little town in Main. The circus boss Mr. Paine is horribly mean and was willing to let the animals drown when their ship wrecks. The animals make their way to the sleepy little town and bring with them chaos. The residents are not happy to have their newest visitors but that all changes the night the Abbots shed catches fire. By the time Mr. Paine comes looking for his circus animals the town people are willing to help the animals evade their horrible boss. The double page spread when Mr. Paine is unable to find his animals is the best page of the book. Children will love searching for the animals hidden around the intricately illustrated town. Highly recommended and enjoyable!!

Here is what the author has to say about his book:


http://www.chrisvandusen.com/books/the-circus-ship



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Mr. Putney's Quacking Dog

Mr. Putney's Quacking Dog by Jon Agee


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A pun is defined by Webster's dictionary as:


"the humorous use of a word or words, which are formed or sounded alike but have different meanings, in such a way as to play on two or more of the possible applications; a play on words."

Mr. Putney is full of puns, the smart, roll your eyes and groan kind. His animal friends all have unusual names, the quacking dog (dachshund) on the cover? A Duckshund  Study the pictures and the animal shown to determine the animal’s puny name, try to see how many you can guess!

Mr. Putney provides a fun way to get kids brains warmed up or fill a few minutes of waiting with some productive mental exercise.



For more information on puns see:

http://www.worsleyschool.net/socialarts/puns/pun.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pun

http://www.punoftheday.com/cgi-bin/disppuns.pl?ord=S&cat=11&sub=1101&page=1

Just Finished...

Rowling, J. K. The Tales of Beedle the Bard. New York: Levine, 2008.

Booklist recommends this book for grades 3-6.

Summary: The tale of the three brothers, this book contains five illustrated moral tales for children from the world of Harry Potter, reportedly discovered and translated by young witch Hermione Granger, with an introduction and commentary from Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Mrs. Wilson Says: If you miss Harry Potter, read this book! Sometimes you might find that Dumbledore's parts a bit difficult, but mostly you'll love the stories and the extra bits of information that you'll learn about their wizarding world. Also, J.K. Rowling did all of the illustrations inside of the book herself (HP's usual illustrator is Mary GrandPre and she did the cover art).

This book is coming to the Bledsoe Library, but it hasn't arrived as of December 30th. Let Mrs. Wilson know if you want to be on hold for it when it arrives.

Already read The Tales of Beedle the Bard? Leave a comment!

Like fantasy books? Try the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer or the Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo.